Barcelona player disappointed with manager Hansi Flick after broken promise | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has made up his mind on the goalkeeping position. It surprised many that the German coach maintained faith in Inaki Pena after Wojciech Szczesny was brought in as an emergency signing initially, and his U-turn on the matter has surprised even more.

Pena was kept as number one after Szczesny arrived, with Flick saying publicly that the Valencian goalkeeper had given them no reason to make a change, and until he made a mistake, that would remain the status quo. That was also what he had told Pena, saying that if he maintains his form, he would keep his spot.

Yet after giving Szczesny his first appearances in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercup, the 34-year-old kept his place in the Champions League and La Liga this week against Benfica and Valencia.

“We haven’t given up yet on Tek [Szczesny] yet, he’s important. I understand for Inaki Pena the situation is not the best, but we decided to start Szczesny tonight after an internal meeting,” Flick told Diario AS.

The same outlet go on to say that Flick has not spoken with Pena about the decision, who is hurt by the decision. He could reconsider his future at the club as a result, and would be third-choice once Marc-Andre ter Stegen returns. The decision was taken by Flick, who prefers Szczesny’s experience in a young team, despite the fact goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente was in favour of continuing with Pena between the sticks.

The move will be particularly gutting for Pena, given the same errors he was not permitted to make have been forgiven with Szczesny. In three of his five appearances, Szczesny has committed significant errors, and against Valencia was only saved from giving away a second penalty by a VAR decision winding the play back. Sent off against Real Madrid, he also gave away a penalty and took out Alejandro Balde leading to a Benfica goal last week.